My Baby's Library

Now that I'm a mom, I'm constantly worried about how what I'm doing now will affect my little one in the future. His development, motor skills, communication skills, and likes and dislikes. 

Every evening, I make it a point to read to Sully. Sometimes one story, but if he's really focused, I'll read as many as three. He's only three months old, but he loves it! He looks at the pictures and responds to my voice, and sometimes he feels the need to "tell" me his own story. It's really one of the only times of the day in which he'll sit still (unless he's sleeping, of course).

I'm pretty excited that he loves it, because I want to raise a reader. I want him to learn to use his imagination and discover new worlds and enjoy getting lost in a good book as much as I do. 

I'm adding to his library a little at a time, and here's a list of wonderful children's books that I remember as a kid, and hope to add soon!

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Harry Potter (The entire series - he's a little young yet, but he'll get there!) by J.K. Rowling

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka

The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

What children's books do you remember growing up?

Cheers!!

Feature and Follow

Feature & Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read in which book bloggers make new connections, gain new followers, and learn a little bit about each other.

We always talk about books that WE want. Let’s turn it on its head. What books have you given other people lately?

My Fifty Shades of Grey copy has been around the block, with everyone at work asking to borrow it, which triggered a fabulous reading frenzy and an e-mail list of books that everyone should read. (Love it when the love of reading spreads.)





Also, I have a friend who loves to read, but was unsure of what to read next. Based on her style, I lent her Nora Roberts' Morrigan's Cross, a personal favorite, so I'm really, really hoping she likes it :).




Also, I love doing giveaways on my blog and recently handed out a copy of The Secret of Ella and Micah.


(P.S. Don't miss out on the YA Paranormal Giveaway Hop, in which I'll be giving away a copy of Jamie McGuire's Providence!)


What goodies have you handed out lately?


Happy Reading Everyone :)

Feature & Follow

Feature & Follow is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read ~ Gain new followers, make new connections, and learn a little bit about your fellow book bloggers.

I've got Winter Storm Nemo creeping in ~ already almost an inch of snow out there, and two to three feet still to go! ~ so I'm hoping this won't be my last post for a little while... We usually lose power in my neck of the woods, so wish me luck!


This week's question:

Q: Happy Mardi Gras! If they were throwing the HOTTEST books off of a Mardi Gras float — what would you do to have them throw to you…?

Never had the Mardi Gras experience firsthand, but I can tell you that my ninnies are staying right where they are. Don't have anything against people taking advantage of the tradition, it's just not my thing. I'd jump around, dance, yell and pray that a book might be thrown my way, but my clothes are staying where gravity keeps them: down. If there's a book I really want, I'll just suck it up and buy it :). 

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Monday Montage

I honestly don't know anyone who enjoys Mondays. I'm one of those people who'd rather just skip the day altogether and go right into Tuesday... or Friday... whichever...

In an attempt to give the loathed day a redeemable quality, I created the Monday Montage, in an effort to lighten the mood and shake the "Monday Blues."

Hope that made you smile :)

I know I feel better....

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which we book lovers showcase new books received that have put an even bigger bend in our shelves...

This week's haul:

::kindle love::

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.
She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever. 
Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.
In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

*Not intended for a young audience. Mature content.*

::hardcover::

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

And I know I've posted it before, but I just can't help myself... Here's the trailer for Ten... *creeeeepy*

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Because Mondays kinda...well...suck

Obviously, none of the photos are my own, but they get the blood flowing this early on an unmotivated Monday morning.

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Fallen for Covers

Fallen for Covers is a weekly meme hosted by Fallen Angels YA Book Blog. Share your obsession with the beauty of the book cover. "Don't judge a book by it's cover..." blah, blah blah.. That's all well and true, but the cover is artwork in itself and draws us into the content. Mine was chosen after perusing the website an artist that's been mentioned in the book blogosphere. You can check out Phatpuppy Art, and see all the beautiful covers she has created. Pure talent!

Honalee by Amanda Hocking
**I love Amanda Hocking, and I can't resist a good story about witches. Throw in the sweetly designed cover, and I'm done for.**

In the small midwestern town of Honalee, Hazel Panning and her best friend Molly Novak are determined to get through her sophomore year in one piece, despite the vicious cheerleaders and Hazel's ridiculous crush on Landon Hooper.

Life gets more complicated when Hazel realizes that she has a penchant for sorcery, like her aunt. Her plans to stay under the radar take a detour when she and Molly stand up for themselves, and Hazel gets the courage to act on her feelings for Landon.

Hazel discovers that the sleepy town of Honalee isn't so sleepy, and magic doesn't make high school easier.

Why? The color scheme is gorgeous ~ purples and blues = magic ~ and it has that touch of classic witchiness. The spiderwebs and spindly trees in the background and the girl with a contrast of pale skin and dark clothing and hair illuminated by the lantern. Just completely eye-catching. Love it! That, and I'm a huge fan of Amanda Hocking :).

Oh, and you know how I love to include the trailer...

So, it wasn't really out in 2010. It was supposed to come out this year, but Amanda stated she wanted to rewrite the ending, so unfortunately, we might be waiting until 2014. So far away!! But I'm sure it'll be worth it :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~Keely ~

Reading is Sexy ~ Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

And my personal favorite...

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~